Game predictions... MSU vs. PSU

Wolfman · Post by **Wolfman** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 2:36 pm

Yeah, Bells, it is indeed nice to not be flamed for simply predicting a score. I was very close to getting the score right when the Cats defeated ISU. I believe that I was very objective in my asnalysis of why I think the Cats will lose a close one in Portland. Not trying to be a Cat-antagonist. Just calling it as I see it, which is what I did in predicting Griz games.

The "X-factor" for PSU may be their defense. I think they have a very good D. Any IAA team which an hold Boise State to 21 points at their place, will get my attention. PSU is the best 2-3 team in the country.

El_Gato · Post by **El_Gato** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 2:46 pm

I honestly don't believe either team can claim to be the favorite in this game. Overall, I do believe the Cats are the more talented team BUT it is on the road and you have to assume that Rubin will have a good, perhaps even BIG, day.

Picking this game strictly on the "merits", I would lean a bit toward PSU, maybe 27-21; I'm NOT, however, going to go with the merits this time.

#14 will be there for us once again, as he's been for over 3 years now; if he can keep his emotions/adrenaline in check with 100+ family members & friends in the stands, I believe once again he & the defense will simply FIND A WAY.

Prediction:

MSU_____28
PSU______27

WYCAT · Post by **WYCAT** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 3:07 pm

PDXKat wrote:
WYCAT wrote: Hells is correct about Wolfman. I part of me thinks his score may be a lot closer than the others. I don't see us blowing them out but I can see us getting blown out. Here's to hoping Wolf is wrong on this one.
Has the dark side influenced you WYCAT, you sound like a wus today. I have no idea how the hell you think we could even remotely get blown out, must just be that our Cats cause us all to have pregame jitters. Their defense and offense is conventional and isn't as good as CP and if you look at last weeks game you'd wonder how the score ended the way it did. Possession-almost 2-1 BSU, third downs 27-12 BSU, total offense 469-269 BSU, third down conversions 7/15 BSU vs 2/13 PSU. PSU was very lucky to hang like they did. I say our offense goes off this weekend. The only way PSU has a chance is to keep the ball all the time (I don't think they can) and our offense doesn't show up (which won't happen). But even then - blowout - no way! Not into score predictions but in this one we win without a heart attack ending.

I am not comparing them to Poly but if you think we don't have the ability to go on the road and get thumped I think you are looking through your blue and gold glasses. Ask Wolfman, picking against your team (which I didn't by the way) does not make you a bad fan or a wus. I think we will pull out yet another close one but the possibility is there to be beat bad. Keep the personal attacks on the other board by the way.

catsrback76 · Post by **catsrback76** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 5:04 pm

Ditto to all who have commented on the PSU run game.

I see Travis going home to Portland as a senior, last game at his old haunt, as a statement game for him. The recievers will not repeat last week and will post numbers and scores.

MSU shows up with intensity and wins 35- 20. Rubin runs for 150 but doesn't blow-up on the scoreboard.

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 6:07 pm

The 'Cats have played enough run teams so far & should be able to prepare the "D". Sure, Rubin will get his his yards, but the 'Cats will adjust and we'll shut him down. We can't let the Vikings control time of possession though. 'Cats need to score early and often and force them away from the running game and then the "D" has a shot at a pick or two. Turnovers will be key in this game.

I'm confident in our "O". Given the ball they will score- we're overdue for a big game.

For some reason that I can't explain, I'm less nervous about this game than the last two (and no, I'm not on any medications).

Two road games in a row is always tough, but we have the talent, coaching, et al. They know better then we do that this can be a special year- take one game at a time.

'Cats Win!!

bozbobcat · Post by **bozbobcat** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 6:25 pm

It'll be another close one. But the Cats' D will hold Rubin in check and the MSU passing game will air it out against PSU's defense. I don't know if they're anything special. MSU 34, PSU 27.

grizzh8r · Post by **grizzh8r** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 6:29 pm

For the record, I do not predict games. With that being said, of all the games we have played (besides cal-poly) this is the one I am most nervous about. Between their rushing O, and our suspect run D, and our passing O, and their suspect pass D, I don't know what to think. I won't be able to even listen to the game, as I will be DJing a wedding, but that is probably a good thing, especially for my heart

. All I am hoping for is NO INJURIES from this game. IF we can gut it out and get a win, I am proclaiming that we will be 7-2 come EWU, 5-0 in conference, controllers of our own destiny. GO CATS!

I swear, this team will be the death of me....

Bcat · Post by **Bcat** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 7:08 pm

El_Gato wrote: #14 will be there for us once again, if he can keep his emotions/adrenaline in check with 100+ family members & friends in the stands, I believe once again he & the defense will simply FIND A WAY.

Agree with above.
Prediction, cats win. Score, donno.
If we want to win big hypnotize #14 and lead him to believe he is starting the game in the 4th qtr down by 2 TD’s. Can’t even imagine what the score would be if we could see the adrenaline rush lover play for 4 qtrs on the juice! I say the home town crowd works to our advantage, he will come out fired up, adrenalined up in the first qtr, big win. If a slow start working up to a rush, close one.

Wolfman · Post by **Wolfman** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 12:20 am

The thing I most of you are mistaken on is the PSU defense. Many have said it is "suspect". I think their defense is perhaps the second best in the Big Sky to Montana. Forget the number of points they gave up against EWU....hell EWU can score on anybody! But, they held both IA opponents to well below their seasonal averages.

The Cats will discover that PSU has a very good "D" on Saturday.

DaGriz · Post by **DaGriz** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 8:08 am

The only way PSU has a chance is to keep the ball all the time (I don't think they can)

TIME OF POSSESSION G Total Time Avg/G
-------------------------------------------
Eastern Washington.. 5 160:42 32:08
Idaho State......... 6 189:58 31:39
Weber State......... 6 178:39 29:46
Montana............. 5 148:44 29:44
Montana State....... 6 176:17 29:22
Sacramento State.... 6 176:02 29:20
Portland State...... 6 173:26 28:54
Northern Arizona.... 6 161:10 26:51

I don't understand how PSU can run the ball that much and almost be last in time of possession. You might be right on them not being able to keep the ball the whole time.

WYCAT · Post by **WYCAT** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 8:15 am

That is an interesting stat. You would expect the team that runs a lot to not be at the bottom. Very interesting......

wbtfg · Post by **wbtfg** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 3:57 pm

Cats by 42-21 Cats.

seataccat · Post by **seataccat** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 5:11 pm

I agree with Wolfman. I think the PSU defense is underrated and I don't see the cat defense stopping Rubin. I hope I am wrong.

PGE park is a fun place to watch football. I think it's the only stadium in the BSC that sells beer at the concessions. I can't wait to see this game.

PSU 31
MSU 21

grizzh8r · Post by **grizzh8r** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 8:27 pm

DaGriz wrote:
The only way PSU has a chance is to keep the ball all the time (I don't think they can)
TIME OF POSSESSION G Total Time Avg/G
-------------------------------------------
Eastern Washington.. 5 160:42 32:08
Idaho State......... 6 189:58 31:39
Weber State......... 6 178:39 29:46
Montana............. 5 148:44 29:44
Montana State....... 6 176:17 29:22
Sacramento State.... 6 176:02 29:20
Portland State...... 6 173:26 28:54
Northern Arizona.... 6 161:10 26:51

I don't understand how PSU can run the ball that much and almost be last in time of possession. You might be right on them not being able to keep the ball the whole time.

Maybe because they run it so well, that they get first downs on second down.

Lets hope not.

canyoncat · Post by **canyoncat** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 9:59 pm

Not looking through blue and gold glasses, I just think the Cats will win by 10. I don't think that the Offense will sputter like it did against Weber. PSU has a good defense, I just think our offense is the that much better. There is only one offense that I see that might be better and that's EWU. Look for the Cats to stack against the run and dare PSU to throw. With our secondary we pick off a couple of passes and set up our O. Cats will win

Lets go boys taker home!!!

lifeloyalsigmsu · Post by **lifeloyalsigmsu** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 10:19 pm

Another thread mentioned trying the no huddle offense. For us to win tomorrow, I believe we need to smash them in the mouth instantly on offense. If we get the ball first, I'd like to see some sort of surprise no huddle play(s) made where Lulay drops a bomb to Gatewood or Murray in the first couple of minutes of the game.

If they get the ball first, the Cats need to stack the box and put a lot of faith in the secondary which we know is totally capable of making plays and keeping solid coverage.

Their defense is solid and I believe that on our first possession, we need to surprise the hell out of them with a scenario like above. If we can instantly throw that surprise at them and possibly be successful, maybe we can get in their heads and keep them guessing. Once they adjust, it's going to be a battle. Getting out to an early lead is our best recipe for a W tomorrow. If we fall behind, I find it hard to believe that we will be able to see Lulay pull out all the magic he did last week.

34-31 Cats if we can score early
31-27 Vikes if we don't score early (4th quarter heroics, if needed, won't suffice tomorrow)

Btowncat · Post by **Btowncat** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 12:54 am

Is this going to be the Cats annual surprisingly outstanding performance on the road, or are we saving it for EWU? Last year, we beat the tar out of NAU in what looked to be a very scary road game. Cats hadn't won at NAU since, oh, about 1897). No predictions, but I don't like this game. Cats generally play worse on the road, particularly night games. (Someone please wake the team before mid-3rd quarter in this game -- it could get awfully ugly if we're sleep walking in the first half).